By Lamin Njie
The Gambia is blessed with so many historical sites and materials that the public needs to know more about, especially students, for research purposes.
It would surprise many Gambians to know that one of the oldest wells was dug up in Banjul in the year 1824 by the British colonial powers to serve as fresh water for them and the civilian population, soldiers, and officials at the time.
According to evidence gathered from the National Museum in Banjul, a water engineer and a marabout by the name Pompey Amari Gaye was brought in from present-day Senegal to help establish a regular clean water supply for the capital, Banjul.
According to reports, he dug at least 13 wells in various parts of Banjul,and also special wells were provided for the barracks, Government House (State House), Telegraph Road, and McCarthy Square.
The reports further indicated that the well was lined with fire bricks and that it has never run dry; and the water remains potable, two hundred years ago since it was dug.
According to reports, when pipe-borne water was introduced in the 1920s, most of these wells were abandoned except the one at the National Museum, which is still intact.
